Selecting system.



A. F. DIXON.

SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30. 191:.

I l a Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

.5 W0 A OX 4 n0 W FM Ms W A/ U IT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMOS FREDERICK nrxoN, 0E NEWARK, NEW JERSEY; AssIo on, BY MEsj 'E ASSIGN- MENTS, To WESTERN ELEC RIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A conPoaA'TIoN or i NEW YORK.

SELECTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ap l' 16, 19 18.

Application filed September 30, 1915. Serial No. 53,434.

proved system forproducing, or adapted to be operated upon by, sequential selective current impulses unseparated by no-current intervals.

Such a system is artipularly adapted for use in printing te egraph communication over transmission lines subject to inductive disturbances which are apt to interfere with the pasasge of signaling current impulses.- 7

Under such conditions the most accurate operation can be obtained by reversing the polarity of adjacent impulses and having the impulses run into each other without breaks or no-current intervals. p

In accordance with its general characteristics, the invention, in its preferred embodiment, contemplates a current distributer cooperating with a current controllerto produce a succession of alternating current impulses, the controller being also adapted to affect the operation of the. distributer -to selectively modify the impulses so produced, to control the operation of-distant and, if

desired, also local selecting apparatus. The

' located on actuator 16 in di erent planes,

distributer may also be. variably affected by impulses of different characteristics arriving over a transmission line, whereby the selecting apparatus cooperating therewith may be selectively operated. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the distribution of impulses, either in transmitting or re--' ceiving, is not accomplished by the use of sequentially acting relays or by rotating commutators or brushes. The above and other objects ofthe inven tion will be fully set forth in the following description and claims, and will be more readily understood by reference to the ac-- companying drawing wherein the preferred embodiment is shown diagrammatically.

The sequential formation'and distribution of the signal current impulses is controlled by an electromechanical apparatus, commonly calleda distributer, which effects the successive opening and closing of a plurality of switches. .When the apparatus is adapted for forming and transmitting selective current impulses and distributing the effects of such impulses locally and also for distributing the eflFect of impulses received from a distant transmitting station, the

switches are arranged in two groups or sets,

one set controlling the formation of impulses I and the other set controlling the distribution of impulse 'efl'ects. V I

The impulse-controlling or transmitting switches, when a five-impulse selecting code is used, comprise a plurality of switches 1, 2, 3., 4 and 5, and the impulse-controlled or receiving switches comprise an equal number of switches 11, 12,13,14and 15. These switches are-arrangedin pairs and are operated by an actuator '16 t'hrbugh the agency of a pluraht of pairso'finsulated pins 21,

22, 23, '24 an 25. The actuator 16 is adapted to be recip'rocated by anoperating 'orstepping, electromagnet 26 through the agency of a spring-tensioned armature 27.

In order that the repeated energization and deenergiz ation of electromagnet 26 may. cause the successive operation ofthe pairs of switches, the switches ma be arranged in slightly different planes. T us, the switches 1 and 11 will be located above switches 2 and 12, which in turn are above switches 3' andl3, and so on in stair-like formation. If desired, however, the switches may be a'rranged in one plane and the ins 21 to 25 pins 21 being in the lowest plane and pins 25' inthe highest. The movement of. actuator 16 is directed by a movement-controlling mechanism comprising a pivoted andspring-tensioned stepped member 28 on whose steps a projection 29 of actuator 16 is adapted to rest. The energization ofelectromagnet 26 moving actuator 16 to the left, causes projection'29-to drop down one step on memher 28, and the subsequent deenergiz'ation thereof allows the spring of armature 27 to move actuator 16 to the right; closing one of the pairs of switches and carrying with it the member. 28. A" pivoted spring-tensioned.

holding pawl 30 cooperates with the steps" of member 28 to hold that member in each new position into which it is moved by the successive deenergizations of electromagnet 26. At the end of a cycle of operations, a,

restoring mechanism, operated by a restoring electromagnet 36, causes the return of the entire mechanism to normal position. This mechanism comprises a spring-tensioned armature 37 pivotally connected to a restoring lever 38, lever 38 being provided with a palr of pins 39 and 40 for engaging and elevating actuator 16 and pawl 30 respectively.

The character'of the impulses formed is selectively determined by a current impulse controller of a well-known type, comprising a plurality of switches 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45. These switches, are each preferably formed of a movable contact located between and adapted to engage either of two fixed contacts. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the left-hand fixed contacts of all of the switches 41 to 45 are connected to the winding of an impulse control relay 46, and v the right-hand fixed contacts are connected to a stepping relay 47 and an armature 48 of relay 46. Armature 48 cooperates with-a front contact connected to a grounded source of energy 49. The movable contacts of switches 41 to 45 inclusive are connected to one of the members of switches 1 to 5, respectively.

Normally,th'e movable contacts of switches 41 to 45 rest againsttheir respective righthand fixed contacts, but they are adapted by any of the well-known. selecting means to be selectively transferred to the left-hand fixed contacts. This means may consist of the usual manually actuated apparatus wherein the controlling keys are arranged in the form of an ordinary. typewriter keyboard, or it may consist of automatic apparatus controlled by a perforated paper tape or the like. Preferably the manual or automatic apparatus, simultaneously with the selective transfer of switches 41 to 45, trans I fers a pair of movable contacts 56 and 57.01 a pair of operating switches from their cooperating contacts 58 and 59, respectively, to contacts 60and 61. Contact 56 is connected through a winding 62 of a transmitting relay 63 to a grounded source of energy 64, and contact 57 is connected to source 64 through a winding 65 of relay 63. Contacts 60 and 61 are connected to one of the members of certain of the transmitting switches 1 to 5; contact 60 to switches 1, 3 and 5, and contact 61 to switches 2 and 4. Contact 59 is grounded while contact 58 is not connected to any part of the system.

One member of each of the receiving switches 11 to 15 inclusive is connected through a corresponding selecting mechanism 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75 of any desired form of selecting apparatus to a grounded source of energy 76. One form of such apparatus is disclosed in Patent No. 1,103,133, issued July 14, 1914.

lhe transmission line L, to which the impulses may be imparted to operate a selectto a grounded source of energy ing apparatus, similar perhaps to that disclosed in the above patent, is connected to a pair of blades 77 and 78 of a line and control switch. Preferably, this switch is also provided with two other blades 79 and 80, although any other arrangement may be, readily employed, and, to give uniformity, each blade is capable of taking three positions. In the drawings all of the blades are shown in the position for transmitting impulses to line. llhe second position is the receiving position, and the third or lowest position is the normal or Morse setup, as will be hereinafter explained.

' A contact 85, cooperating with blade in the first position of the line and control switch, is connected to an armature 86 of relay 63, which armature cooperates with contacts connected to .the positive and nega tive terminals of a suitable line battery or other source of current. Contacts 87 and 88 are connected through the windings of a polarized receiving relay 89 to ground. A contact 90, cooperating with blade 78 in its lowermost position, is connected through an ordinary telegraph key 95 and sounder 97 98. A contact- 99, cooperating with blade 80, is connected to an armature 100 of stepping relay 47, one terminal of 'electromagnet 26, the other terminal of which is connected to a grounded source of energy 101, and to a front contact cooperating with an armature 102 of a restoring relay 103. Blade 79 coop erates with conyacts 104 and 105 and is connected to one e ement of a local switch 106, closed at the same time as switch 15, the other element of which is connected through relay 103 to a grounded source of energy 107. Contact 104 is connected to contact 99, while contact 105 is connected to one terminal of a winding 110 of a control relay 111, a contact 112 cooperating with armature 113 of relay 89 and a contact 114 coiiperating with an armature 115 of relay 111. Blade 80 is connected to armature 115. A contact 120, coiiperating with armature 113, is connected to one terminal of a winding 121 of relay 111 and one element of a normally open switch 122, the other element of this switch being connectedto a contact 123 cooperating with armature 115 of relay 111. Switch 122 is normally open but is closed when actuator 16 is withdrawn on its first step, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The other terminals of the windings 110 and 121 of control relay 111 are respectively connected through one of a pair of selecting relays 125 and 126 to grounded sources of energy 127 and 128. Winding 110 is also connected to a front contact cooperating with armature 130 of relay 125, and winding 121 is also connected to a front contact cooperating with armature 131 of relay 126. Armature 131 is connected to one element of switches 11, 13 and 15, and armature 130 is connected to a corresponding element of switches 12 and 14. An armature 135 of relay 125 coiiperates with a grounded baclqcontact and is connected through a sixth-impulse relay 136 to armature 137. of relay 103 and armature 138 of relay 47. Relay 136 has a grounded armature 140 co6perating with a front contact connected to one element of switches 2 and 4 and contact 61.

Impulse control relays 46, 125 and 126 are made slow-acting, preferably by placing in series with their windings suitable indt ctive resistances, as shown, to give the desired amount of lag in operation. These relays should not operate in the time of the flow of a non-selecting impulse but will operate on a flow of current for the length of time of a selecting impulse. Relays 63, 89 and 111 are of the ordinary polarized type wherein the armature. when moved against one of its cotiperating contacts by current of a certain polarity, remains'in that position until current of the opposite polarity becomes active.

The operation of the system, when acting as a combined current impulse transmitter and local selector, is as follows, all of the blades of the line and control switch beingin the first position as shown: Assuming that the desired selection requires lengthened second, third and fifth implses, the keyboard or automatic control apparatus transfers contacts 42, 43 and 45 from the right-hand to the left-hand fixed contacts, and contacts 56 and 57 from contacts 58 and 59 to contacts 60 and 61 respectively. The normally closed circuit from source 64 through winding 65 of relay 63 and contacts 57 and 59, which insures that negative current is normally flowing over line L and through the receiving relay 89, when the line and control switch is in the first or upper position, is thereupon interrupted and a circuit for winding 62 closed. This circuit extends from source 64 through contacts 56 and 60, normally closed switch 1,

switch 41 and stepping relay 47 to ,ground Winding 62 and relay 47 are operatively energized. Winding 62 moves armature 86 against its left-hand cotjperating contact, and positive current for the first impulse of the selective combination flows over line L to a distant selecting station, which is preferably identical with that hereinbefore described, and through the local receiving relay 89. Relay 47 attracts armature 100 and a circuit is closed from source 101 through electromagnet 26, which pulls up its armature 27 moving actuator 16 to the left. The pulling up of armature 138 performs no function at this time. This movement of actuator 16 opens switches 1 and 11 and closes switch 122. It also causes the projecthrough relay 47, which releases its armature 100 to open the previously traced circuit through electromagnet 26', and the spring returns armature 27 and moves actuator 16 to the right. Projection 29 is now, however, on the next forward and lower step, and member 28 is rotated to the right, allowing pawl 30 to drop down one step.

During these later operations the positive current flowing through the receiving relay 89 moves armature 113 from contact 112 to contact 120. The normally closed circuit from source 127 through relay 125, winding 110, contact 112 and armature 113 is thereupon opened, and a circuit is completed from source 128 through relay 126, winding 121 of relay 111, contact 120 and armature 113 to ground. The opening of the circuit through relay 125 releases armatures 130 and 135-. Winding 121 of relay 111 now shifts armature 115 to contact 11.4, but this transfer performs no function at this time.

The retraction of actuator 16 to the right,

as hereinbefore mentioned, closes switches 2 and 12, and a circuit is completed from source 64 through winding 65 of relay 63,. contacts 57 and 61, switch 2 and, because switch 42 is transferred, through relay 46 .is moved to rengage contact 123.

The previously traced circuit through winding 65 and relay 46 causes relay 46 to attract its armature 48 and a circuit is completed from source 49 through armature 48 and relay 47 to ground. The energization of relay 47 causes theoperation of electromagnet 26 and switches 2 and 12 are opened. The opening of switch 2 causes the deenergization of relay 46 and the consequent deenergization of relay 47 and electromagnet 26. Thereupon actuator 16 moves again to the right, this time in such a position that pins 23 close switches 3 and 13.

The delay in the preceding energization and denergization of relay 47, consequent upon the lag of'relay-46, allows current to flow from source 127 through relay 125, Winding 110, contact 112 and armature 113 to ground for a suflieient length of time to allow the operative energization of relay 125, and armatures 130 and 135 are attracted. Armature 130 completes a circuit from source 76 through mechanism 72, switch 12, armature 130 and its front contact, winding 110, contact 112 and armature 113 to ground, causing mechanism 72 to perform its part in the operation of the local selecting apparatus.

The previously mentioned second return movement of actuator 16 will cause the closing of switches 3 and 13 and reverse the condition of armature 86, and the third impulse (positive) is initiated. Also, since switch 43 is transferred, relay 46 and consequently relay 47 and electromagnet 26 are energized and then deenergized, asbefore. Actuator 16 being moved down another step closes switches 4 and 14. This third impulse also,

'because of relay 46, is sufiiciently long to energize relay 126 after armature 113 has been moved by the impulse reversal into engagement with contact 120. I Relay 126 pulling up its armature 131 completes a circuit for mechanism 73 from source 76, through switch 13, armature 131 and its front contact, winding 121, contact 120 and armature 113 to ground, before this switch was opened as above noted.

The closing of switches 4 and 14, respectively cause relay '63 to start the fourth impulse (negative) and place mechanism 74 in a circuit including armature 130. This circuit, however, is not completed since the fourth-impulse, switch 44 not having been transferred, is not of sufficient duration to allow the-operation of relay 125. The fourth impulse being negative and of short duration magnet 26 is energized only momentarily, moving actuator-16 first to the left and then releasing it and permitting it to move to the right in the next lower plane, thereby closing switches 5 and 15. When last or firth impulse (positive) is initiated switch 5 is closed, completing a circuit for winding 62 of relay 63, causes armature 86 to be moved to the left, At the same time switch 15 is closed, switch 106.is also closed, and a circuit is partly prepared from source 107, through restoring relay 103, switch 106, blade 79 and contact 104 to armature 100 of steppin relay 47 which circuit is completed when re ay 47 is energized by the closing of switch 5. The fifth impulse being positive and switch 45 having been moved to the left by the keyboard mechanism, relay 47 is energized by the closing of contact 48 of magnet 46 which is a slow magnet. This delays the energization of magnet 46 and conse* quently the energization of magnet 26 and the movement of actuator '16 to the left. Consequently the opening of switch 15 is delayed until after the positive impulse 1s sent to line and transmitted through switch arm 78the relay 89 has moved armature 113 to the left to contact 120, whereupon a circuit is closed from ground, armature 113, contact 120, winding 121, slow relay 126. This relay 126 pulls up its armature 131 thereby completing a circuit for the selector mechanism 75 from ground, armature 113, contact 120,4 winding 121, armature 131, switch 15, selector mechanism 75, to grounded source'of energy 76. As soon as magnet 26 is energized, actuator 16 opens switch 15 and interrupts the above mentioned circuit. The attraction of armature 102 of restoring relay 103 retains the electromagnet 26 in an energized condition irrespective of the condition of relay 47 which, in previously pulling up its armatures when switch 5 was closed, has caused electromagnet 26 to be energized, and completes a circuit for a grounded source'of energy 141, through restoring electromagnet 36..v Electromagnet 36 attracts its armature 37, and through lever 38 and pins 39 and 40 actuator 16 and pawl 30 are elevated. Member 28 thereupon rotates to the left, and when electromagnets 26 and 36 are again deenergized, projection 29 rests upon the top step of member 28, and pins 21 close switches 1 and 11 as at the beginning. Armature 137, in pulling up, closes a holding circuit for relay 103 from source 107, through armature 138 of stepping relay 47, and also completes a circuit from source 107 through the sixth impulse relay 136 and armature 135 and its back contact, relay 125 being deenergized at this time. This last circuit, however, be cause of the short-circuit to ground through armature 138, does not cause theoperative energization of relay 136 until stepping relay 47 is denergized. This short-circuiting of relay 136 is necessary in order that the duration of the last or fifth selecting impulse may be determined by thecondition of of its armature and connect negative current to line L and relay 89. Relay 89 thereupon reverses the condition of its armature 113 and current flows from source 127 through relay 125 and winding 110. When current has been flowing through relay 125 for a sufficient length of time to cause it to attract its armatures, the ground at armature 135 is removed from the previously traced circuit through relays 103 and 136, and these relays return to normal, allowing electromagnets 26 and '36 to also return to normal, and the entire system is in a condition to begin a new cycle of operations.

If desired, relay 136 may also control any of the well-known locking arrangements for retaining switches 41 to '45 in selected position until the entire combination of impulses has been formed.

\Vhen the apparatus disclosed is to be used as a distributer of the effects of line current impulses arriving from a distant station over transmission line L, the blades of the line and control switch are placed in the second position. The first impulse of a selective combination being positive reverses the condition of-receiving relay 89, whose armature 113 is moved into engagement with contact 120. A circuit is then completed from grounded source 128 through relay 126, winding 121, contact 120 and armature 113 to ground, which results in arn'iature 115 moving into engagement with contact 114. If this impulse is a non-selecting impulse, the polarity of the current is reversed before relay 126 has time to attract its armature. It will be noted that the first impulse did not effect the energization of stepping electromagnet 26 and that switches 1, 2 and 122 are still in normal condition. The reversal of the line.

current on the second impulse causes receiving relay 89 to move its armature 113 into reengagement with contact 112, and a circuit is completed from source 127 through relay 125 and winding 110.

From the time of the engagement of armature 113 and Contact 112 until the disengagement of armature 115 and contact 114, a circuit-is also completed from source 101, through stepping electromagnet 26, contact 99, blade 80, armature 115, contacts 114 and 112, and armature 113 to ground. This circuit is maintained only a suflicient length of time to cause the energization of electromagnet 26, but this magnet is again deenergized as soon as armature 115 leaves contact 114 and switches 2 and 12 are closed. Switch 122 is also closed from the time of the first withdrawal of actuator 16. If the second impulse is a selecting impulse, negative current is maintained upon the line long enough to cause relay 125 to attract its armatures, whereupon a circuit is completed from source 127, through relay 125, front contact and armature 130, switch 12 and mechanism 72 to ground, whereupon mechanism 72 performs its function in the operation of the selecting apparatus.

The third impulse reverses the conditions of receivingrelay 89 and control relay 111, and electromagnet 26 is momentarily energized, by current flowing. from source 101 through contact 99, blade 80, armature 115, contact 123, switch 122, contact 120 and 1 armature 113 to ground, to cause actuator 16 to take an additional step. These operations continue for each'impulse, whenever an impulse is of long duration, the corresponding selecting mechanisms 73 to 75 being operated. The fifth impulse, in addi tion to closing switch 15, closes switch 106,

and a circuit is partially prepared from source 107 restoring relay 103, switch 106, blade 79, and contact 105 to contact 112. Ground is placed upon this circuit when armature 113 engages contact 112 upon the arrival of the sixth or negative line impulse. Relay 103 thereupon attracts its armatures, and through the energization of electromagnets 26 and 36, actuator 16 and member 28 are returned to normal as hereinbefore described, switches 1 and 11 are closed, and switch 122 is opened.

It will'benoted from the foregoing description that the operation of the distributer is slightly different when it is acting to produce line current impulses and effect local selections than when it is being controlled byimpulses received from the transmission line. In the latter case, the first selecting impulse (positive) exercises no effect upon the stepping electromagnet 26 because switch 122 is open. For each impulse after the first, however, the electromagnet 26 is energized and deenergized to open the switches 12 to 15 corresponding to the next preceding impulse and to close the switches corresponding to the impulse receivedKIn' other words all of the impulses after the first must close the corresponding switches 12 to 15'before the corresponding mechanisms 72 to 75 may be operated. This method of operation,

-when the system is actingsimply as a receiver, is necessary since a long negative impulse always follows the fifth selecting impulse. This negative impulse, however, must have no effect upon the distributer, which result is obtained by the. provision of switch 122, whichopens what otherwise might be a normal circuit over the path previously traced through armatures 113 and 115 and electromagnet 26, when the actuator 16 has returned to normal on the fifth selecting impulse as previously described. Switch 122 therefore prevents the actuation 'of the distributer upon the sixth or first impulses, although when closed, because of the action of the second impulse, it provides an energizing circuit for electromagnet 26 when armature 113 engages contact 120 on the third and fifth impulses. On the second and fourth impulses, electromagnet 26 is energized by the momentary current passing through armatures 113 and 115 and contacts 112 and 114, as hereinbefore described. a

In the normal condition of the line, all of the blades of the line and control switch are preferably in their third or lowermost position so that the transmission line is associated with key 95 andsounder 97 for the usual Morse operation. 7

It will be readily apparent from the for equipped merely for the purpose of receivgoing description that in case a station is p ing signal current impulses from a distant station, all of the apparatus, which is adapted for use merely in the transmission of selective current impulses, may beidispensed with, and that if the station is to be equipped merely as a transmitting station, the apparatus adapted-merely for selective operation upon the receipt of impulses from a distant station, or even the selecting apparatus controlled by mechanisms 71 to. 7 5 inclusive, may be elifninatedJ The invention claimed is:

I'. A selecting system comprising a current controller, a current distributer cooperating therewith to form a succession of current impulses, and means under the control of said controller for retardin the operation of said distributer to selectively modify impulses so produced.

2. A selecting system comprising a current controller, a step-by-step current distributer cooperating therewith to form a succession of current impulses, and means under the control of said controller for retarding' any of the steps of said distributor to selectively modify the impulses produced.

3. A selecting system comprising a current controller, a step-by-step electromechanical distributor cooperating therewith to produce a succession of current impulses for transmission and to operate said distributer, and a relay energized through the agency of said controller and retarding the operation of said distributer to selectively produce lengthened impulses.

4. A selecting system comprising a selecting apparatus, a plurality of sequentially acting switches divided into two groups oooperating therewith, means responsive to. current impulses for efiecting the sequential operation of said switches, and selectively operable means associated with each group ofswitches and afi'ected only by impulses of prolonged duration whereby said appawere is variably operated.

5. A selecting system comprising a selecting apparatus, a plurality of sequentially acting switches divided into groups cooperating therewith, means responsive to current impulses for effecting the sequential operation of said switches, and a slow acting relay associated with each group of switches and selectively energized by impulses of comparatively long duration, whcelreby said apparatus is variably operate i 6. A selectin system comprising a current controller, a selecting apparatus, a reciprocating current distributer cooperating with said controller and said apparatus to produce a succession of current impulses and effect a desired selection, means made operative by said controller to produce current impulses with certain characteristics, and means operable only on such impulses and cooperating with said distributer to control the operation of said apparatus.

7. A selecting systemoporable upon va rious combinations of seql'ientialjcurrent im pulses comprising a plurality of selecting mechanisms, a distributer, an electromagnet for operating said distributer to bring the impulses into operative relation to said mechanism, and means for rendering said electromagnet unresponsive to the first impulse. f

8. A selecting system operable upon various combinations of sequential step-bystep current impulses comprising a current distributor, an electromagnet therefor, a relay characteristically responsive to current impulses, a second relay responsive to the first said relay, and independent circuits for energizing said electroma et, each controlled by both of said relays.

lln wi ness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 28th day of September, A. D. 1915.

AMQS FREDERICK DIXON. 

